CLEANING YOUR HOT TUB FILTERS
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CLEAN YOUR HOT TUB FILTER?
It's easy to clean things that you see, but not so much what you don't see. A ring of scum and oils around the waterline of your hot tub, a dirty toilet, or dishes in the kitchen sink. You see all those and at some point decide to clean them.
The things you don't see, such as your hot tub filters, you tend to let them go longer without cleaning. The problem is, the longer you wait to clean them, the more likely you are soaking in...well...we don't even want to think about it. The longer you go without cleaning the filter, the less it will catch, so you will have nasty contaminants and debris floating around your hot tub while using it.
Another common problem with dirty hot tub filters is the heater will not function or it will trip the hot tub giving you error codes. What happens with dirty filters is it will reduce or prevent the flow of the water to be strong enough, tripping sensors and putting your spa into protection mode. When this happens, the hot tub heater or the entire hot tub will not function. This is especially not good in the winter!
Remember to keep those filters clean. You should be cleaning them at least once a month and more often when it is a rental property. Below are a couple of videos to show you how to clean your filters. These videos are meant for Hot Spring hot tubs. Scroll down more for general instructions on other brand hot tub filters or refer to your manufacturers website for more info.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR HOT SPRING SPAS TRI-X FILTER
The Tri-X filters on your Hot Spring hot tub have twice the cleaning area of other filter cartridges the same size and help your spa water stay cleaner longer. Even the best hot tub filters require regular cleaning. This video will show four ways to clean and maintain your Tri-X filters as part of a monthly hot tub maintenance routine. NOTE: Tri-X filters are strictly for Hot Spring Highlife Collection hot tubs!
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR HOT SPRING, LIMELIGHT OR HOT SPOT FILTERS
Regular hot tub maintenance includes cleaning spa filters on a regular schedule. This will ensure the best performance for a clean spa. There are a few methods for cleaning your spa filter. This video will show you three options to clean your Hot Spring, Limelight, or Hot Spot hot tub filter.
TIP: BUY TWO SETS OF HOT TUB FILTERS. WHILE YOU ARE CLEANING ONE SET, THE OTHER CAN BE USED IN THE HOT TUB.
HOW TO CLEAN HOT TUB FILTERS OTHER THAN HOT SPRING
WEEKLY
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Rinse your filter with clean water.
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Spread each pleat to get the dirt, hair, or other debris out.
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Let your filter dry before putting it back into the hot tub.
MONTHLY
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Rinse your filter with clean water.
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Spread each pleat to get the dirt, hair, or other debris out.
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Spray between each pleat with Filter Cleaner and let them sit for 15-20 minutes.
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Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
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Let your filter dry before putting it back into the hot tub.
EVERY FOUR MONTHS
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You can do this when you drain and refill you hot tub.
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Use a 5 gallon bucket and dilute the filter soak chemical with water according the directions on the bottle.
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Make sure you have enough water to submerge one hot tub filter. If you don't have room to fit more than one filter, use one bucket per filter.
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Let the filter sit in the solution overnight and then thoroughly rinse the filter.
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Let your filter dry before putting it back into the hot tub.
NOTE: It is important that you rinse the filters thoroughly and completely before putting them back into your hot tub. The chemical residue can cause the hot tub to foam, and you will likely have to drain ad refill your hot tub again.
ADDITIONAL HOT TUB FILTER TIPS
Taking care of your hot tub filters helps them work more efficiently and helps them last longer so you don't have to replace them as often.
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Never use bleach. Bleach is an effective cleaner, but not for your filters. It can damage the fibers, greatly reducing the life of the filter. It will not remove the oils sometimes trapped in your filter.
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Avoid Household Cleaners. Although sometimes cheaper, household cleaners can cause major foam in your spa, no matter how well you think you rinsed the filter.
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Don't Use the Dishwasher. A dishwasher can destroy the fibers on the filter, reducing the filters effectiveness. Unless you are using Hot Spring Tri-X filters, do not use a dishwasher.
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Replacing Hot Tub Filters. Eventually there will come a time when you have to replace the hot tub filter. In most cases it is every 1-2 years. When you see the pleats are ripped, bent, or imploded, you will probably want to replace the filter. Or, if the end caps are brittle, cracked, or very discolored, you would want to replace the filter.
A Clean Filter is a Happy Filter. Happy Hot Tubbing!